Book Reviews

This cover image released by Tin House Books shows "The Woman in the Sable Coat" by Elizabeth Brooks. (Tin House Books via AP)

Book Review: Elizabeth Brooks’ Austen-esque WWII novel has romance, betrayal and a touch of macabre

In a chance meeting in 1934, Nina invites the Nicholsons to dinner. She’s 14, trying on womanhood for the first time, and quickly becomes smitten with Guy Nicholson.

This cover image released by Viking shows "The Hunter" by Tana French. (Viking via AP)

Book Review: ‘The Hunter’ is a dark and lyrical tale of revenge, friendship and loyalty in collision

This cover image released by Minotaur shows "The Rumor Game" by Thomas Mullen. (Minotaur via AP)

Book Review: Thomas Mullen’s portrayal of a divided nation in 1943 draws parallels to today

This cover image released by Flatiron shows "The Bad Ones" by Melissa Albert. (Flatiron via AP)

Book Review: Melissa Albert’s ‘The Bad Ones’ is a gripping story of friendship and the supernatural

This cover image released by Putnam shows "This Disaster Loves You" by Richard Roper. (Putnam via AP)

Book Review: Richard Roper charms and surprises with ’This Disaster Loves You’

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This cover image released by Riverhead Books shows "The Vulnerables" by Sigrid Nunez. (Riverhead Books via AP)

Book Review: Solitary writer ruminates on grief, love and writing during pandemic’s first spring

Sigrid Nunez, the National Book Award-winning author of “The Friend,” has written a pandemic novel called “The Vulnerables.”

This cover image released by Metropolitan Books shows "Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey" by Edel Rodriguez. (Metropolitan Books via AP)

Book Review: Edel Rodriguez shows Cuban history as a warning for the US in new graphic memoir ‘Worm’

In his new graphic memoir, “Worm,” Edel Rodriguez mixes historical context and personal stories to recount his harrowing journey growing up under — then escaping — Communism and authoritarianism in Cuba, as well as the warning signs he sees in America decades later.

This cover image released by W. W. Norton shows "The Warped Side of Our Universe: An Odyssey Through Black Holes, Wormholes, Time Travel, and Gravitational Waves" by Kip Thorne and Lia Halloran. (W. W. Norton via AP)

Book Review: ‘The Warped Side of Our Universe’ a novel look at secrets of cosmos

“The Warped Side of Our Universe: An Odyssey Through Black Holes, Wormholes, Time Travel, and Gravitational Waves” explores many secrets of the cosmos.

This cover image released by Celadon Books shows "Being Henry: The Fonz...and Beyond" by Henry Winkler. (Celadon Books via AP)

Book Review: Henry Winkler grapples with the Fonz and dyslexia in his entertaining new memoir

Henry Winkler’s memoir begins on a Tuesday morning in October 1973, at his first audition for “Happy Days.”

This cover image released by Riverhead Books shows "White Holes" by Carlo Rovelli. (Riverhead Books via AP)

Book Review: ‘White Holes’ by Carlo Rovelli reads more like poetry than science lesson

Theoretical astrophysicist Carlo Rovelli takes readers on a journey to the hypothetical inverse of black holes in his latest book, “White Holes.”

This cover image released by Grand Central Publishing shows "The Sun Sets in Singapore" by Kehinde Fadipe. (Grand Central Publishing via AP)

Book Review: Broad themes meet niche topics in Fadipe’s debut novel ‘The Sun Sets in Singapore’

Kehinde Fadipe’s debut novel, “The Sun Sets in Singapore,” follows three expat Nigerian women to highlight the specific struggles that come with their race, gender and backgrounds — particularly in an upscale and competitive environment like Singapore.

This cover image released by Mariner Books shows "A Brief History of Intelligence: Evolution, AI, and the Five Breakthroughs That Made Our Brains" by Max Bennett. (Mariner Books via AP)

Book Review: ‘A Brief History of Intelligence’ may help humans shape the future of AI

What can the evolution of the human brain tell us about the artificial intelligence of tomorrow? That’s the thesis of Max Bennett’s new book “A Brief History of Intelligence,” on sale Tuesday.

This book cover image released by Mariner Books shows "Julia," a retelling of George Orwell's "1984," by Sandra Newman. (Mariner Books via AP)

Book Review: Sandra Newman puts a feminist spin on ‘1984’ with ‘Julia’

Rejoice, comrades! Almost 75 years after “1984” was published, readers can return to Airstrip One with “Julia,” a feminist retelling of George Orwell’s classic novel.

This cover image released by Ten Speed Press shows "Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones" by Dolly Parton. (Ten Speed Press via AP)

Book Review: Dolly Parton gives a tour of her closet in ‘Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones’

Dolly Parton’s iconic look — big hair, big heels and tight low-cut dresses covered in rhinestones or beads — is a big part of her lasting appeal, nearly as important as her vast catalogue of country ballads and bangers that made her a star.

This image released by AUWA Books shows "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" by Sly Stone and Ben Greenman. (AUWA Books via AP)

Book Review: Sly Stone wants to take you higher in memoir with tales of funk, drugs and survival

While recalling his remarkable yet erratic life in music, Sly Stone admits he occasionally had to depend on the recollections of others because his own memory wasn’t always reliable.

This cover image released by Avid Reader Press shows "One Woman Show" by Christine Coulson. (Avid Reader Press via AP)

Book Review: Clever new novel uses museum wall labels to narrate life story of rich American woman

Christine Coulson worked for the Metropolitan Museum for 25 years. During that time she wrote short wall labels for works of art in the galleries.

This cover image released by Doubleday shows "The Exchange" by John Grisham. (Doubleday via AP)

Book Review: John Grisham brings back ‘The Firm’ star Mitch McDeere in ‘The Exchange’

Thirty-two years after “The Firm” launched his career as a legal novelist who churns out bestselling books that inevitably become movies, John Grisham returns with a sequel starring Mitch McDeere.

This cover image released by Knopf shows "Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties: The Collapse of the Studio System, the Thrill of Cinerama, and the Invasion of the Ultimate Body Snatcher - Television" by Foster Hirsch. (Knopf via AP)

Book Review: Film historian exploits tumult, gossip in gripping account of Hollywood in the ‘50s

When film historian Foster Hirsch began research for his latest book about the changing and turbulent movie landscape of the 1950s, he could not have known the timeliness of his subject matter upon the release of “Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties: The Collapse of the Studio System, the Thrill

This cover image released by Putnam shows "Shoot the Moon," a novel by Isa Arsen. (Putnam via AP)

Book Review: Isa Arsén delivers an unconventional love story in debut novel ‘Shoot the Moon’

Looking for a new writer to read? “Shoot the Moon” by first-time novelist Isa Arsén is a ” bold and unconventional love story,” writes Associated Press reviewer Rob Merrill.

This cover image released by Penguin Press shows "Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America" by Steve Inskeep. (Penguin Press via AP)

Book Review: ‘Differ We Must’ illustrates Abraham Lincoln’s political skills

NPR “Morning Edition” co-host Steve Inskeep details President Abraham Lincoln’s political skills in “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America.”

This cover image released by Chronicle Books shows "The History of Sketch comedy: A Journey Through the Art and Craft of Humor" by Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key. (Chronicle Books via AP)

Book Review: Sketch-comedy star Keegan-Michael Key breaks down the art form in hilarious new book

Keegan-Michael Key, half of the famed “Key & Peele” comedy duo, and his wife, Elle Key, a writer, director and producer, have translated their award-winning podcast, “The History of Sketch Comedy,” into a new book.

This cover image released by Simon & Schuster shows "Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet" by Taylor Lorenz. (Simon & Schuster via AP)

Book Review: ‘Extremely Online’ shows how creators and influencers have shaped social media

Washington Post technology columnist Taylor Lorenz tells the social history of social media in “Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence and Power on the Internet.”

This cover image released by St. Martin's Press shows "Maybe Once, Maybe Twice" by Alison Rose Greenberg. (St. Martin's Press via AP)

Book Review: Romance strikes in ‘Maybe Once, Maybe Twice’ with quirky lines and an epic soundtrack

On Maggie Vine’s 30th birthday, she makes a marriage pact with her handsome best friend. Thing is, the struggling singer-songwriter had already made a similar deal with her first boyfriend, who’s now an extremely successful and attractive actor.

This cover image released by Knopf shows "The Night House" by Jo Nesbo. (Knopf via AP)

Book Review: Jo Nesbø offers a fresh twist on a coming-of-age horror novel in ’The Night House’

Norwegian author Jo Nesbø, best known for his “Harry Hole” series of crime novels, is out with a slim horror novel that is more than what it seems.

This cover image released by Simon & Schuster shows "How to Say Babylon" by Safiya Sinclair. (Simon & Schuster via AP)

Book Review: Poet recalls stormy life growing up Rastafari in Jamaica and her struggle to break free

Safiya Sinclair is a Jamaican-born poet who has written a memoir called “How to Say Babylon.” It’s about surviving her upbringing in a strict Rastafari sect and finding her own voice as an independent woman.

This cover image released by Flatiron shows "Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and the Washington Post" by Martin Baron. (Flatiron via AP)

Book Review: ‘Collision of Power’ explains the journalism of the Donald Trump era

“Collision of Power” by former Washington Post executive editor Martin Baron is really three books in one, says Associated Press reviewer Jeff Rowe.

FILE - Leslie Jones arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Mother" in Los Angeles on May 10, 2023. Jones released her memoir this month. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Book Review: ‘SNL’ star Leslie Jones drops raw memoir mixed with life advice

Comedian Leslie Jones is out with a raw memoir recounting her difficult upbringing and the racism and sexism she’s overcome throughout her career.

This cover image released by Plume shows "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-fi Movies" by Ryann Britt. (Plume via AP)

Book Review: ‘The Spice Must Flow’ chronicles the legacy of the breakthrough novel ‘Dune’

The saga of how cult sci-fi novel “Dune” slowly permeated the mainstream over decades is a tale with almost as many twists and turns as “Dune” itself, and author Ryan Britt recounts it in the lively and entertaining “The Spice Must Flow,” writes AP’s Mae Anderson.

This cover image released by Doubleday shows "The Caretaker" by Ron Rash. (Doubleday via AP)

Book Review: Rural Appalachian family’s dreams turn dark in new Ron Rash novel, `The Caretaker’

In a review of “The Caretaker,” Ron Rash’s first novel in seven years, Kendal Weaver writes that Rash has created a compelling drama of young lovers in rural Appalachia in the early 1950s.

This cover image released by FSG shows "American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15" by Cameron McWhirter and Zusha Elinson. (FSG via AP)

Book Review: ‘American Gun’ is a haunting look at the AR-15’s role in our violent era

Wall Street Journal reporters Cameron McWhirter and Zusha Elinson trace how gun violence has transformed the country in “American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15.”

This cover image released by Harper shows "Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune" by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe. (Harper via AP)

Book Review: ‘Astor’ is a primer on the rise and fall one of America’s richest families

In their new book “Astor,” CNN Journalist Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe trace the storied Astor family’s legacy from its inception, when John Jacob Astor emigrated from Germany and established himself in the beaver fur trade, a bloody and highly competitive business.

This cover image released by Simon & Schuster shows "Elon Musk" by Walter Isaacson. (Simon & Schuster via AP)

Book Review: ‘Elon Musk’ offers a revealing but not surprising portrait of tech mogul

Biographer Walter Isaacson offers a revealing but not that surprising portrait of Elon Musk in his biography of the tech billionaire.

This cover image released by Verso shows "The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation" by Cory Doctorow. (Verso via AP)

Book Review: Novelist and blogger Cory Doctorow pens a manual for destroying Big Tech

“There is no fixing Big Tech,” Cory Doctorow, a novelist and public-interest technologist who gained online fame with the blog “Boing Boing,” writes in his new book “The Internet Con: How To Seize The Means of Computation,” a manifesto for people who want to destroy it.

This cover image released by William Morrow shows "Nineteen Steps" by Millie Bobby Brown. (William Morrow via AP)

Book Review: Millie Bobby Brown of ‘Stranger Things’ weaves a romance novel into a WWII disaster

Millie Bobby Brown, best known as the actor who plays the character Eleven on hit TV show “Stranger Things,” has written a romance novel set during London in World War II.

This cover image released by Sibylline Press shows "Reading Jane" by Susannah Kennedy. (Sibylline Press via AP)

Book Review: ‘Reading Jane: A Daughter’s Memoir,’ by Susannah Kennedy

Susannah Kennedy is left reeling when her mother Jane shockingly decides to take her own life, despite being a healthy 75 years.